Compositing screen

ABSTRACT

A compositing screen includes a partially or fully transparent front screen that displays one image or video and a back screen displaying another image or video. The two images can be seen simultaneously, providing a composite image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/183,162, filed Feb. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/766,584, filed Feb. 19, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein and forall purposes.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a “compositing screen” for an entertainment venuethat provides for enhanced displays in an immersive environment. In oneembodiment described in detail herein, the compositing screen is anImmersive Display Screen (or “IDS”) theater screen. Enclosed within theIDS, the venue includes a centrally located, outfacing audience areawith standing room, general admission seats, and VIP seats. Aperformance stage may encircle the outside of the audience area, and/orthe perimeter of the immersive environment, enclosed within the IDS,located between the screen and the audience.

In an example embodiment, the compositing screen includes a front screenfor displaying a front image possibly via a projector (or series ofprojectors) for creating a front image onto the front screen. Thecompositing screen also includes a back screen displaying a back image,as seen though the front screen, which would effectively be transparent(or semi-transparent). The front screen may be formed of perforatedaluminum or front projection film affixed to glass or ETFE.

In another embodiment, a compositing screen is an immersive displayscreen, which includes a front screen and a back screen (with the backscreen behind the front screen). Each screen, or one of the screens,uses light emitting diodes (LEDs), front projection, or another videoproducing technology (e.g., lasers, rear projection, and/or a yet to bedefined light source) to display at least two separate images towardsthe same audience area. The back screen is toroidal or ellipsoidal inshape, and may be equidistant from the front screen throughout. Thefront screen that is positioned on the inside of the back screen istransparent, seemingly transparent (e.g. glass or plastic), or partiallytransparent (i.e., perforated material) to the light from the backscreen. In this way, the compositing screen provide a “composite” imageeffect for the audience (i.e., the audience sees both layers of imagerysimultaneously).

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity containssimplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail. Consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be limiting. Other aspects,inventive features, and advantages of the various elements, devices,and/or processes described herein will become apparent in the detaileddescription set forth herein and taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a layout design of an exemplary venue with a one-screen 360°theater IDS embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example dual front-projection arrangement for atheater area.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example front- and rear-projection arrangement fora theater area

FIG. 4 illustrates an example compositing screen.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example compositing screen.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example compositing screen.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example compositing screen.

FIG. 8 illustrates steps of an example process.

FIG. 9 illustrates steps of an example process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, a compositing screen is describedalong with accompanying systems and venue. Although the compositingscreen may be used in the example venue, other venues, theater areas,and screen geometries may be alternatively used. In one embodiment, thecompositing screen may be an immersive display screen (IDS).

The following description is divided into three sections: (1) VenueArchitecture and Systems, (2) Compositing Screen Design, and (3) Uses.The venue architecture and systems section describes the environment inwhich a compositing screen may be used, including some of the systems,techniques, structures, and devices that are used to facilitate thefunctions of an entertainment venue that uses the compositing screen.The screen design section describes the physical design and layout of anexample screen. The uses section describes a few of the novel ways thatan exemplary compositing screen may be used. Additional information anddisclosure regarding the venue, audio, and stage technology that may beused in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein may be foundin copending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/183,231 (entitled“Entertainment Venue And Associated Systems/Methods”), U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/183,208 (entitled “Immersive Sound System”), and U.S.application Ser. No. 14/183,077 (entitled “Rotating Performance Stage”),which are incorporated herein by reference.

Venue Architecture and Systems

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an entertainment venue 100. As shown,venue 100 includes a dome-shaped exterior 102 over a torus-shapedinterior structure 104 that encloses a theater area 106. Theater area106 includes various levels of audience standing 108A and seating 108B,a stage 110 with supporting structure 112, and multiple secondaryscreens 114A and 114B (e.g., robotic or other fixed or movableexhibition systems such as Pepper's Ghost, holograms, projection onprojection film backed ETFE, etc.). In addition to theater area 106,FIG. 1 shows other areas of venue 100, including, torus-center area 118.Torus-center area 118, and/or the other open portions below enclosure102, may house various mechanical, audio/visual, utility, and otherelements that support the functions of venue 100. For example,projectors, speakers, cabling, switching systems, plumbing, HVAC, safetyequipment, ladders, catwalks, cameras, house lighting, Emergency Exitsigns, rigging, and/or control stations, among other possibilities, mayalso be held in torus-center area 118. Since the interior structure 104and enclosed theater area 106 are toroidal in shape, FIG. 1 showstheater area 106 (along with corresponding portions of standing 108A,seating 108B, stage 110, and supports 112) in two segments. In anexample embodiment, the arrangement of torus-shaped interior structure104, theater area 106, standing 108A, seating 108B, and stage 110 maycontinue around the circumference of the toroidal shape, with secondaryscreens placed at intervals around the stage (e.g., up to 24 differentsecondary screens). As will be described in the following sections,various alternative embodiments may include fewer, additional, ordifferent elements than the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

I. Exterior Enclosure

One embodiment of an external enclosure is a “dome” shaped shellenclosing the indoor toroidal enclosure and various theater features ofthe entertainment venue. FIG. 1 shows such an implementation, in whichthe exterior shell is in the shape of an ellipsoid. Other exampleembodiments could include spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, cubic,pyramid shaped, toroidal, conical, or other shape of exteriorenclosures. In some cases, the implementation of the shell exterior maybe supported separately from the display screen to handle various loads,such as wind loads that will not be a requirement for the internalenclosure. In other implementations, the display screen and exterior maybe supported by connected rigging to the interior structure, as afunction of load support or stationary support. Structural supports forthe exterior ellipsoid or internal torus, the display screen, rearscreens (if applicable), speakers, lighting, A/C, heat, ducting, riggingand more may include various internal framing components, framingsupport and/or external super-structural components.

In some embodiments, the external enclosure may include external displayfeatures. For example, a complete or partial projection surface, displayscreens, LEDs or other visual components may adhere or be attached toportions, or the entirety, of the external surface of the enclosure. Asanother example, display elements may be affixed onto or into theexterior surface of the enclosure or cast/projected upon by non-attachedprojection devices and/or lights. In one such implementation, LEDs maybe embedded inside, adhered onto, or attached on a majority of theexternal surface of the enclosure, allowing for large-scale displaysover the outside surface of the venue. As another example, visualcontent may be front (or rear) projected onto the exterior surface withno physical attachments whatsoever. As another example, the externalenclosure may be transparent or translucent in nature with LEDs embeddedinto (or behind) the actual enclosure surface in select areas orthroughout for large-scale displays within or behind a transparentsurface of the venue, and another embodiment may be the compositing oftwo images, one produced either by lining or backing a transparentexternal structure with projection film, or LEDs, and also projectingupon the back of the internal structure or torus, such that thatprojection may be seen from the outside through the externalstructure—thereby compositing two images (in the case of LEDs, theywould be mounted to a “transparent” panel, that allowed one to see whatwas behind it—in this case, imagery projected on the back of the torus).

The material of the enclosure may need to resist any environmentalconditions both known (e.g., rain, snow, wildlife, heat, UV rays, etc.)and unforeseen (e.g. tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes). If the externalenclosure or dome includes any type of display elements, such as LEDs,the final material may be selected for its optimal optical qualities aswell as protection from the elements. For example, a transparentexterior material such as glass, ETFE, plastic, or other may be chosen,along with a UV coating, to protect the display elements withoutblocking the display or interfering with the transparent nature of thestructure. In other embodiments, transparent material may be used tocover larger portions of the enclosure or the enclosure in its entirety,allowing inside features of the venue to be visible from the outside.For example, large transparent sections of enclosure 102 may allowpassersby to see the exterior of the torus-shaped interior structure 104(which we may also front project upon). If the toroidal structure istransparent (i.e., front projection film backed ETFE) in a one-screenscenario, images or video on the torus-shaped interior structure 104,may provide entertainment to viewers both inside and outside of theaterarea 106 simultaneously. Additionally or alternatively, the torus-shapedinterior structure 104 may be partially transparent as well, allowingoutside spectators to view some of the entertainment provided within thevenue, albeit partially or fully obstructed depending on the vantagepoint of the spectators. Complete or partial performances inside thetheatre area 106 may also be simultaneously displayed on enclosure 102or other external surfaces.

Various embodiments of the exterior's visual exhibition system maybeLED's on transparent panels inside or behind glass or ETFE (or otherplastic) which are graded in pitch, so as to become spaced further apartas the cover higher areas of the exterior; front and/or rear projectionon glass or ETFE (or similar) backed with a semi opaque projection film;opaque versions of either; or a clear exterior which can be illuminatedby lighting. The semi-opaque and clear versions of the foregoing canafford the viewer on the outside the opportunity to see through them toview events and images on the interior. In certain cases (such as imagesbeing projected on the back of the torus), such a combination wouldcreate a composite image viewable from the outside (i.e., a frontprojected moving image on the torus composited with an image produced byLEDs on transparent panels mounted to the interior of the ellipsoid). Inan alternate method of compositing an image, an LED covered interiorback of torus could be viewed through a clear (glass/ETFE), projectionfilm backed external skin.

II. Audience Area

An audience area may be provided inside any of the theater areas. Asshown in FIG. 1, the audience area may include a standing room area(SRO) 108A and various seating areas 108B for audience members of bothGeneral Audience (GA) or (VIP) areas. The audience area may also includeopen spaces or non-obstructed spaces to be used interchangeably inaccordance with particular entertainment events.

In an exemplary embodiment, the audience seating 108B may face outwardfrom a central area of the theater. In some embodiments, each seat maybe oriented in a direction facing away from a central point. In otherembodiments, rows of seats may face substantially outward although eachindividual seat may not face directly outward. In still otherembodiments, seat direction may be changeable, movable orinterchangeable, or entire sections may be changeable, movable, orinterchangeable. For example, seats may be able to rotate, or have somedegree of motion (a third sensory element—movement).

III. Video Processing

In order to display an image internally onto the torus-shaped interiorstructure 104 and externally onto a dome screen 102, various specializedpieces of equipment and/or processing techniques may be helpful orrequired. For example, to display images that were originally intendedfor flat surfaces, may require a new process for the images to displayon a toroidal screen, in a 360° or continuous format, or additionally,the projected or processed images may be captured when reflected off themirrored torus shape, or may be captured by specially ground lenses, 3Dlenses, 360° lenses, such that there is no visual distortion whenexhibited on a torus, or ellipsoid shaped screens, with no breaks orgaps in the continuous image, and/or non-repeating images to break theflow of the image visual translation to the audience. Additionally, theIDS may display images that substantially cover a full range of visionfrom a capture location. In order to capture images for such a screen,it may help to use specialized lenses or arrays of cameras.

In an example embodiment, a toroidal screen may be used to displayimages with a horizontal field of view (FOV) of 360° and a vertical FOVabove 200°. In some embodiments, a display may present individual videosor images over a smaller portion of the screen, avoiding the need forcapturing large FOV images. In other embodiments, several image capturedevices (e.g., cameras, video cameras, photodiodes, etc.) may eachcapture a portion of the full FOV image. Then, the images captured byeach device may be combined into a full FOV image/video. Additionally oralternatively, lenses, fibers, waveguides, and reflectors may be used todirect the light that defines a full FOV image into an image capturedevice. For example, a curved lens can refract light towards theimage-capturing device. As another example, a curved reflector mayreflect light towards the image-capture mechanism. As still anotherexample, an array of optical fibers may be used to guide the light intothe image-capturing device.

In order to present images on a curved surface, like torus-shapedinterior structure 104, the images may be processed to map flat-surfacecoordinates to curved-surface coordinates so that the images do notappear stretched or distorted. As one implementation, the image may berepresented by a set of points in a particular coordinate system. Thecoordinate system employed may depend on the system used to capture theimage. For example, if a set of cameras each captures a flat-surfacerepresentation of the view in one direction, the image points may fitmost naturally into a Cartesian coordinate system. To fit such an imageinto the coordinate system, each image is associated with a capturedirection and is assigned a certain apparent depth in the viewingdirection. In an array of image-capture devices, the capture directionof one device may be implied from the orientation of that device withrespect to the other devices. When a curved or other shaped lens isused, the image direction may be determined from geometric light-raycalculations on the lens shape. Once the three-dimensional imagecoordinates have been determined, a three-dimensional grid of pointsrepresenting the image-projection surface (e.g., a toroid, etc.) ismapped to the image coordinates to determine the relationship betweeneach capture-image point and each display-image point. For example, if adisplay-image point falls directly on a capture-image point, then thecolor associated with that capture-image point becomes the color of thecorresponding display-image point. If a display-image point fallsbetween four capture-image points, the color of the display-image pointmay be an average of the colors associated with the capture-imagepoints. Once the relationship between each display-image point and thecorresponding capture-image point(s) is determined, the system may usethe relationships to quickly produce a display image defined by thedisplay-image points, rather than mapping each new set of images to theprojection surface. Other techniques are possible.

To display video that is captured at the venue (e.g., video of liveperformers during the live performance), the quick processing techniquesmay ensure that the videos are processed fast enough to present theimages in real time in 2D and/or 3D imagery. Additionally, in order tocapture images at the venue, cameras may be placed in specific areasaround the theater, inside and out. In some cases, multiple cameras maybe attached to rotating supports that move in sync with the movingperformance stage to maintain a video feed from the performers.

IV. Audio Systems

Each of the embodiments of visual exhibition system (IDS) describedabove in 0033 has an acoustical counterpart to accompany it: i) in thecase of the front projection upon an opaque screen (perforated aluminum,foam, fabric, etc), both speakers a sound absorptive material (such asfiberglass) could be placed behind a perforated aluminum screen which ismostly transparent to sound. The speakers would propagate the audiowhile the fiberglass would deaden the otherwise acoustically live space,and control reflected sound. If foam or fabric was the medium used forthe screen, that medium itself would deaden reflected vibrations byabsorbing the same, while the foam or fabric could be made thinnerdirectly in front of the speaker drivers, allowing the primary intendedaudio to pass freely through and out to the audience. Additionalacoustical management solutions may include positioning speakers upstageand angling them up and away from the audience, into the torus shape,turning the torus itself into an audio propagation device (a giantspeaker cabinet). The systems above could work in conjunction with anin-seat audio system, described in patent app “360 Squared Sound,” whichis incorporated herein by reference.

Audio systems may be provided in an exemplary theater area. Audio inputdevices may be provided to support sounds associated with liveperformances. For example, musical acts may use input devices to capturevoice and instrument sounds. As another example, stage acts may usemicrophones to capture on-stage voices and sound effects. Audio outputdevices may output these captured sounds and other audio associated withlive performances or video displays.

Audio output devices, such as speakers, may be provided in any ofvarious locations inside or outside of the theater area, and speakersmay be existing or new technologies, or a mix of both for this specificvenue. For example, speakers may be provided on or around the stagearea, around the secondary display screens, and/or under and around theaudience area. Moreover, in some cases, individual speaker systems maybe provided within the audience seating area (e.g., chair-mountedspeakers). In some embodiments, speakers may be provided behind orwithin the theater screen.

In order to provide a stable, coherent image on the theater screens, andoptimal audio quality, several solutions for sound dampening elementsmay cover up and/or protect parts of the screen that are moresusceptible to audio acoustic vibrations, reflections or reverberation.For example, a screen material that is practically transparent to sound(like perforated aluminum) may have both speakers and sound deadeningmaterial placed behind it, thereby preventing the sound systems fromimpairing the audience's view of the screen).

In a compositing screen implementation with a front-projection screensurface (such as a perforated surface) and a back LED screen surface,speakers may be placed behind the back LED surface. In anotherimplementation, LEDs may cover the speaker grills to create a seamlessvisual experience with sound deadening properties.

In another audio solution, an active noise cancelation system may beemployed. In this example, a transparent Mylar, plastic, or othermaterial would cover all or part of the inside facing surface of thefront screen, and would be wired to act as speakers and microphones. Insuch an implementation, small sections, interspersed across the screenarea, may be wired to act as microphones. Additionally, other adjacentsections may be interspersed adjacent to the microphone areas and may bewired to act as speakers. The speakers may cancel sound detected by themicrophones by, for example, producing an out-of-phase acoustic wave ofthe sound detected by the adjacent microphone section. Further,additional sections of the covering may be wired to act as speakers thatwould transmit audio intended to be heard by the audience (i.e., music,dialogue, sound effects, etc.). In this way, the torus itself (as astructure) acts as both a speaker system and an acoustical deadeningsolution.

In another embodiment, soundproofing and speakers may be placed behindthe LED surface, which may be essentially transparent to sound andcovered in LEDs. Spaces between the LEDs may also make the LED panels atleast partially transparent to audio, allowing the speakers to presentaudio to the audience through the led screen. As another example, avacuum established between the front screen and the back screen mayprevent sound waves from propagating to the back screen and exposingreflective audio waves to the audience.

In still another example, the screen may be made “transparent” to soundvia gaps in the screen through which sound waves flow without disturbingthe screen and without creating reflections. Aside from the gaps,sound-absorbing material or active cancelation systems may cover theback of the screen. In this way, the screen shield may deaden the soundwhile also allowing sound to pass through the gaps in the surface.

Compositing Screen Design

FIG. 1 shows a toroidal screen as an example theater screen. Differentembodiments may include other types, layers, geometries, and numbers ofscreens. Since the torus-shaped interior structure 104 wraps around theaudience in a way that immerses the viewers in a display space, thistype of screen may be considered an Immersive Display Screen (IDS). Inother implementations, the screen could be various other shapes,including spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, cubic, pyramid shaped,conical, prismatic, and cylindrical, among others. Additionally oralternatively, some embodiments may use non-immersive theater displayscreens. Although torus-shaped interior structure 104 is shown as asingle continuous screen with no gaps, example screens may includemultiple screen pieces arranged to function as a single display screen.In some arrangements, the screen may include non-screen areas within thescreen surface, while still being considered a single screen, meaningsome of the screen may display content where other areas of the screenmay not. For example, torus-shaped interior structure 104 may havesupporting structures rather than active display areas behind it, as asecondary screen 114A, and still be considered substantially continuous.

The torus-shaped interior structure 104 may present or display imagesand video in a number of different ways and explorations. For example,one or more projection devices may project images onto, or from,torus-shaped interior structure 104. Such projectors may be placedinside the theater area 106 to project images onto the inside oftorus-shaped interior structure 104 (i.e. front projection). In otherembodiments, projectors may be placed around the outside of the theaterarea to illuminate visible internal portions of the screen by projectingimages onto the backside of the screen (i.e., rear projection). In otherembodiments, projectors may be placed behind the torus-shaped interiorstructure 104, shining through but remaining hidden to the audience

FIG. 2 shows an example projector arrangement 200 for a dualfront-projection implementation. A front-projection arrangement mayinvolve a great many projectors spread around the theater area 106and/or behind it (e.g. inside a crow's nest). In particular, arrangement200 includes projector 204, projecting on a portion (labeled with arc208) of screen 202, projector 206, projecting on another portion(labeled with arc 210) of screen 202, and projector 214, projecting on athird portion (labeled with arc 216) of screen 202. In some cases, themultiple projectors may project onto different areas of the front andback screens. In other cases, like arrangement 200, the projection areasmay overlap or projectors may be stacked on one another. In still othercases, multiple projectors may illuminate substantially the same areasof the screens to increase brightness, luminosity and image resolution.

FIG. 3 shows a combination front and rear projection arrangement 300that includes a front projector 304 to project the front image onto aportion of the front screen (labeled as arc 306) of compositing screen302. Additionally, arrangement 300 includes nine rear projectors308A-308J arranged along the internal side of exterior enclosure 310.Each rear projector displays a portion of the back image on a part ofthe back screen of compositing screen 302, including several overlappingareas. In some similar arrangements, rear projectors (orstacked/parallel sets of projectors) that may be configured to displayonto individual areas of the screen, without overlapping.

In any projection system, light-guiding elements may be employed todirect projected light onto one or more display screens or surfaces. Forexample, an example screen may direct light from projectors to displayscreens using optical elements such as waveguides, reflective surfaces,lenses, optical fibers, electro-optical deflectors, acousto-opticaldeflectors and/or beam-splitters, among other elements and devices. As aparticular implementation, laser light from one central source may bedivided up to shine or reflect on individual portions of the backside ofa theater screen.

In addition to light-projection systems, various other visual displaydevices may produce images on torus-shaped interior structure 104. Forexample, multiple light sources may be embedded into, in front of,and/or behind the screen to forma a multiple image display. Any ofvarious light source types may be used in such an arrangement. Forinstance, light emitting diodes (LEDs), other electroluminescentcomponents, incandescent light sources, gas discharge sources, lasers,electron emission sources, and/or quantum dot sources may be used torealize the display, among other examples. In particular, low pixelpitch LED arrays may be embedded over the screen surface of a theaterscreen, so that no projection systems would be necessary. In anotherimplementation, torus-shaped interior structure 104 may be opticallyresponsive to electron bombardment (e.g., a fluorescent screen). In suchan implementation, a cathode-ray source may activate portions of thescreen to produce images.

A compositing display screen is designed to provide multiple images atonce. FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of an example compositing screenthat includes an LED back screen 402 behind a projection-based frontscreen 406. For example, the front screen may be a material or structurethat is semipermeable to light emanating from behind it, but alsosufficiently reflective of light projected onto its front by a laserprojector, allowing such a projector to superimpose an image over theLED back screen. In this way, a 3D three-dimensional image or a“composite” and/or parallax image may be produced by the physicalseparation between both projected images. In FIG. 4, light raysrepresenting the back image are shown as straight dotted lines (e.g.,line 404) while light rays representing the front image are shown byreflecting dotted lines (e.g., line 408). As one example implementation,the distance between the front and back screens may be correlated to thedepth of the performance stage in the theater, so that displayed imagesof performers on the stage may convey the distance between theperformers and the background. As another example, the distance betweenthe front and back screens may be uniform to maintain the same level ofbrightness and luminosity and 3D or parallax effect throughout thestructure. In certain cases, the background behind the performers may bedisplayed as the back image, while images of the performers may bedisplayed as the front image simultaneously or at separate times.Examples of semipermeable screen structures are a perforated aluminumscreen (with a sufficiently high void percentage, and sufficiently highreflective coating) vinyl, Teflon, plastic or other, and/or clear ETFEbacked with a partially transparent front projection film and with aclear layer of sound absorbent film adheased to its front.

FIG. 5 shows an expanded view of another example compositing-screensystem 500 that may be utilized in a projection display system. Thescreen system includes a non-continuous front (perforated screen 502) infront of a continuous, equidistant rear screen 504 creating compositeimages for an audience. As shown, some of the light (shown as path 506)that is projected onto screen system 500 impinges on front screen 502,resulting in a front image, while the light that passes through opensections (for example, 508A and 508B) of front screen 502 impinges onback screen 504, producing a back image and a 3D parallax effect for theaudience in both standing 108A and seating 108B areas. In someembodiments, front screen 502 may be transmissive to certain lighttypes, rather than having physical gaps or a percentage of perforationin the screen. For example, front screen 502 may be opaque tos-polarized light and transparent to p-polarized light. By projectinglight that is a superposition of s-polarized and p-polarized light, thefront and back images may then form from the s-polarized and p-polarizedlight, respectively. Alternatively, two projectors may be used such thatone projector illuminates the front screen and one illuminates the backscreen. In an implementation that uses openings in screen 502, the sizeand spacing of the openings in the front screen may be chosen such thatthe front and back images are both visible to viewers. Othercombinations are also possible.

FIG. 6 shows elements of an additional compositing screen implementation600. In implementation 600, a perforated or otherwise transparent frontscreen 602 is place in front of a back screen that includes LED sources604 on the front speakers 606A-D. In such an arrangement, the materialand/or design of front screen 602 may be chosen such that it issubstantially transparent to sound from speakers 606A-D.

FIG. 7 shows another arrangement 700 of elements in a compositingscreen. As shown, arrangement 700 includes a back screen 702 of anyvariety and a front screen 704 that is perforated. Also as shown,soundproofing material or structures 706 is attached behind front screen704. Either this material may be perforated (as shown) along with thefront screen, or it may be transparent to the light from back screen702. In some cases, front screen 704 may be implemented as entirelysoundproofing material, such that relatively few acoustic reflectionsoccur off screen 704.

The torus-shaped interior structure 104 may also present 3D images. Forexample, a 3D-glasses or non-glasses auto-stereoscopic display (ASD)system may be used to polarize or colorize images to create 3D imagesvia left and right visual responses or visual color cone responses toreplicate 3D visualization with or without the use of glasses. Asanother example, torus-shaped interior structure 104 may include alenticular array, parallax barrier, holographic, or otherautostereoscopic 3D system so that viewers can view 3D images withoutpolarizing or colorizing the images.

Other examples of display systems for both the front and rear screensmay include: Front or rear projection, LEDs, OLEDs, laser projection,ASD (auto-stereoscopic display) LEDs, ASD front projection, holography,3D “ghosting” or full 3D effect (e.g. Pepper's Ghost or Steinmeyerillusion).

Compositing Screen Uses

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 according to an exemplary embodiment. Asshown, method 800 involves displaying a front image on a front screen(block 802). Method 800 also includes displaying a back image throughthe front screen and on a back screen (block 804). In an example, thesestops may be performed simultaneously to produce a composite of images.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example method 900. Method 900 involvescapturing video of a performance in front of a background (block 902).Method 900 also involves separating the background image from the videoof the performance (block 904). Further, method 900 involves displayingthe video of the performance on a front screen (block 906).Additionally, method 900 involves displaying the background on a backscreen (block 908).

CONCLUSION

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the video and audiosystems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments areillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art whoreview this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modificationsor alterations are possible over the course of each construction (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) especially when components arebuilt to specifications, without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, with slight or major modifications but not modifications inoverall principals or strategies. The elements and assemblies may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability. Additionally, in the subjectdescription, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example,instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of anyprocess or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the overall design, operating conditions, and arrangement of thepreferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from theactual scope (or baseline ideas, thoughts, principals, etc.) of thepresent disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted, especially in theconstruction process of the various elements within. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps and decision steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. An display screen comprising: a back screenoperable to display a back image to an audience area; a front screenpositioned substantially in front of the back screen, facing theaudience area, wherein the front screen is at least partiallytransparent to light from the back screen, wherein the front screen isoperable to display a front image, separate from the back image; andsoundproofing material on a back of the front screen, wherein thesoundproofing material is sufficiently transparent to light from theback screen.
 2. The display screen of claim 1, further comprising aprojection system configured to present the front image by frontprojection onto the front screen.
 3. The display screen of claim 1,wherein the display screen is an immersive display screen.
 4. Thedisplay screen of claim 1, wherein each of the front screen and the backscreen cover substantially the entire area of the immersive displayscreen.
 5. The display screen of claim 1, wherein the back screen andthe front screen have a toroidal shape, and wherein the audience areafaces outwardly towards the back and front screens.
 6. The displayscreen of claim 1, wherein the back screen comprises light emittingdiodes (LEDs), and wherein the back image is displayed by the LEDs. 7.The display screen of claim 6, wherein a portion of the LEDs arepositioned on gratings of theater speakers, and wherein the front screenis sufficiently transparent to sound from the theater speakers.
 8. Thedisplay screen of claim 1, further comprising a rear projection system,wherein the back screen uses rear projection from the rear projectionsystem to display the back image.
 9. The display screen of claim 1,wherein the front screen comprises a perforated aluminum screen.
 10. Thedisplay screen of claim 2, wherein the projection system comprises alaser projection system.
 11. The display screen of claim 1, wherein theback screen is further configured to simultaneously provide the backimage to an external rear surface of the back screen.
 12. A methodcomprising: displaying a front image on a front theater screen, whereinthe front theater screen has a curved geometry; displaying a back imageon a back theater screen positioned substantially behind the fronttheater screen with respect to an audience area, wherein the back imageis displayed through the front theater screen towards the audience area;and using array processing on a precalculated model of the curvedgeometry to adjust data representing the front image prior to deliveringthe adjusted data to display components associated with the fronttheater screen.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the front and backtheater screens define an immersive display screen.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein displaying the front image on the front theater screencomprises projecting the front image onto the front theater screen usingfront projection, and wherein displaying the back image on the backtheater screen comprises projecting the back image, through the fronttheater screen, onto the back theater screen using front projection. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein back theater screen compriseslight-emitting diodes (LEDs), and wherein displaying the back imagecomprises using the LEDs to display the back image through the frontscreen.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein displaying the back imagecomprises projecting the back image onto the back screen from a rearprojection system.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprisingdisplaying the back image to both a front side of the back screen and aback side of back screen such that the back image may be seen from bothin front of and behind the back screen.
 18. The method of claim 12,wherein the precalculated model adjusts for curvature of viewing andlight reflectivity.